South Stand redevelopment proposals
There are a number of significant differences associated with the proposals from previous developments. Most noticeably, the proposed commercial development backing onto the spectator terracing provides an opportunity to create a building frontage rather than the rear of a stand. And the use of ramps as the main means of access, rather than staircases, will provide a powerful sculptural form and serve as a transition between the existing and the proposed structures.

Conscious of the scale of the proposed development on the surrounding area, the design studiously avoids the possibility of a steep cliff-face frontage and instead attempts to articulate the built form both in plan and section, to reduce both the physical and visual impact of the building.

Linear roof garden
The principal entrance to the building complex is central and runs through three storeys in order to provide a main focus, an elegance and a grandeur to the whole development. Above the three storey frontage there will be a significant linear roof garden running along the whole length of the building. This will be a permanent facility, designed to provide a significant landscape effect all year round.

Setting off the whole complex will be a high quality landscaped forecourt area or piazza, that will create a significant feeling of space and distance back from Whitton Road.

Materials
The main intention behind the choice of materials is to help achieve an impressive and elegant building complex and create a feeling of quality and a sense of location.

It is proposed to use real stone as the main cladding material on the first two levels complemented by pre-cast concrete columns coloured to match the chosen stone. The stone cladding will define the spaces between the columns in the form of a portal surround. This will be infilled by either glass, using a frameless glazing system, or stone, as a rainscreen cladding system, depending on the requirements of the internal spaces.

On the third level, or office level, the storey height pre-cast concrete columns continue through to provide visual continuity. In between, the external wall will be glazed curtain walling, with opaque manifestation at the lower levels. There will be full height internal blinds to reduce light spillage during hours of darkness.

The second and third floor levels will be capped by a cornice comprising aluminium louvres and a bullnose profiled eaves coping. At ground floor level a glazed canopy suspended from painted lattice steel beams will run the full length of the elevation.

The external walls at the hotel bedroom levels will comprise a curtain walling system with a solid coloured aluminium panel stall riser. There will be an open balustrade guarding the access walkway in painted steel. Above window level, horizontal coloured aluminium sun screen louvres will project from pre-cast concrete fascia panels coloured to match the stone and concrete at the lower levels.

Because of the south facing aspect of the building frontage, deep overhanging canopies and sun screen louvres will be an essential and noticeable feature of the design. These elements will help to define the curves and facets of the building frontage and provide a functional and interesting level of detail to the façade. The overall effect of the stone, glass, steel, aluminium and concrete will be to create the impression of a glazed pavilion-like frontage to the whole stadium.